African Conflicts the Origins and Source of Conflict in Africa Today

African Conflicts

The Origins and Source of Conflict in Africa Today

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY III

AFRICAN CONFLICT: THE ORIGINS AND SOURCE OF AFRICAN CONFLICT TODAY IV

THE COLONIZATION OF AFRICA IV

VIOLENT CONFLICT V

ETHNIC CONFLICT VI

NATURAL RESOURCE CONFLICT VI

FOOD CRISIS VI

POVERTY VII

WORKS CITED XII

Table of Figures

Figure 1. Agents of Violence………………………………………………………………………………v

Figure 2. Timeline of East and West Africa Food Crisis……………………………………………..vii

Figure 3. Sub-Sahara Poverty Graph…………………………………………………………………..viii

Executive Summary

Conflict in Africa arose in the late 1800's when European countries colonized the land for their own purpose with no regard to the indigenous people. This resulted in conflict that is still apart of Africa today. Government and ethnic conflict has resulted in violence and bloodshed. With Government control and the environment affecting natural resources, few benefit from what the continent vast reserves. Poverty and Food crisis remain a major part of conflict, as the population continues to swell. All of this conflict leave million of Africans displaced and struggling to survive. The future of conflict in Africa is based on how quickly it can move from a land of violence, conflict, and corruption toward a more peaceful existence.

African Conflict: The Origins and Source of African Conflict Today

Poor governance, lack of civil rights, and the unbalanced dispersal of resources, power and wealth are the foundation of African conflict. Understanding the root cause and motivation of conflict, the consequences triggered by the action or lack of, is the basis for resolution.

The Colonization of Africa

In the late 1800s the Africa was viewed as a land of economic resource. European imperialist began to compete frantically to claim their part of Africa for economic, political, and social power. Due to the Industrial Revolution the demand for cheap labor, raw materials and new markets intensified the competition between countries and caused violent conflict. To end bloodshed between European countries The Berlin Conference was held and The Berlin Act of 1855 was produced. The Berlin Act established the guidelines for "effective occupation" of conquered territories. The end result was the division of Africa amongst European Nations. This division separated ethnic groups and forced enemies to be governed under the same government, causing much of the conflict that is still present today.

This paper examines some of the cause of current conflict the in Africa today, and the consequences brought on by conflict. It considers the following:

1. Conflict related to violence and ethnicity

2. Conflict related to natural resource

3. Conflict related to food crisis

4. Conflict related to poverty

Violent Conflict

Violence is a constant source of conflict in Africa. The source of violent conflict is political and military aggression, as well as ethnicity and economic performance. Some countries have made strides in finding resolution and having peaceful political elections, but in most conflict are still present and results in bloodshed. The following graph represents the source of violence over the past fifteen years.

Figure 1

Government has persisted as the most aggressively violent group. Political militias have surpassed Rebels as the second-most violent group, although both have increased, compared to the descending shift in rebel activity. Communal activity has remained stable.

The rising rate of rioting and protesting across African state in 2011 is over double the rate

of 1997. Riots and Protests, which constituted 36.9% of all events in 2012, rose from 26.8% in 2011, and 18.9% in 2010. A major contributing factor to the increase in rioting is the food crisis. Levels of violence against civilians were at 31.3% in 2012(ACLED, 2012).

Ethnic Conflict

Some of the contributing factors of ethnic conflict are colonialism, the economy and government and corruption. Past and ongoing crises in Africa like the Rwandan genocide, the crisis in Darfur, the civil wars in Nigeria, and the quarrels between the whites and blacks in Zimbabwe or Tutsi show evidence of the role that ethnicity plays as a trigger of conflict in parts of Africa.

Natural Resource Conflict

Conflict over natural resources has made Africa the focus of international attention. From oil in Nigeria and diamonds in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and water in the Horn of Africa, conflict has arose over surrounding ownership, management, greed and control of natural resources. All of this conflict impacts natural resource supplies. Politics and government control the allocation of resources, leaving the majority without ownership of any resource. Impact on resources from government and the environment cause lack of resources and influence the livelihood of Africans.

Food Crisis

Food crisis is affected by poverty, climate change, disease and violence. Poverty and malnutrition are directly correlated to each other. A large number of Africans do not have adequate means to purchase food. Climate changes have caused droughts that have led to poor harvest and decreased water supply, causing dwindling food stock and a rise in malnutrition. Heavy rain can also cause problems due to cutting off access to food supply and markets. Disease such as HIV/AIDS will continue to kill of the agriculture workforce, creating a gap in the ability to harvest. Violent conflict and displaced people are also identified as major contributors